The Durban Metropolitan Area (DMA) is currently experiencing high crime levels due to a variety of factors. After a consistent decline since 1995, reported crime levels rose again in 1998. Crime is negatively impacting on job creation, investment, quality of life and environmental management. The City Police and the South African Police Services are involved in a range of initiatives to prevent and reduce crime in the DMA. The Council's planning strategies are also aimed at assisting effective crime prevention.	What can you do to improve the situation
	About Indicators In this Crime Report In this SOE Report Global Set
There are a range of pressures, which together, have created high levels of crime in the DMA. These include poor urban design, high levels of unemployment, capacity problems in the justice system and an 'uncivil' society resulting from South Africa's turbulent political past.
During 1998 170 000 crimes were reported in the Durban region. After a consistent decline since 1995, the number of reported crimes rose by 12% in 1998. The number of reported serious crimes is, however, stabilising. Africans living in townships and informal settlements are far more likely to be victims of crime than other residents in the DMA.
Crime is one of the most serious obstacles to sustainable development in the DMA. It is having negative impacts on job creation, investment, the quality of life of residents and the management of the environment.
The City and National Police Forces are currently undertaking a wide range of crime prevention initiatives in the DMA. In addition, there are a number of general planning strategies being formulated which are aimed at addressing the inequalities in the city structure which will assist effective crime prevention.